Any game involving the Kansas City Chiefs, especially over the last two seasons, has an increased focus from the larger football world. As the preeminent dynasty of the decade, they remain a villain for virtually every fan base. As a result, any officiating mistakes, which remain a part and parcel of the NFL product, no matter how much the league tries to tighten its screws, are met with loud reactions all across the spectrum.
Even as the team has struggled to a 4-3 start this season, those conversations have plagued games involving Kansas City. But that scrutiny might be at an all-time high in a primetime slot for a Monday Night football game against the Washington Commanders. To minimize such discussions or controversies, who is the league appointing as the referee to ensure fair officiating in the game?
Referees for Commanders vs. Chiefs
The two biggest focuses of this game will be Jayden Daniels’s absence and the Chiefs’ offense. After a phenomenal rookie season, injuries have hampered Daniels’s sophomore campaign.
That problem will continue this week as well. After exiting last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys with a hamstring injury, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year is slated to miss the Commanders’ game against Kansas City.
In his absence, the underdog mentality will be even more paramount, especially keeping their opponent in mind. As a result, the NFL will try to ensure a fairly officiated game, with Brad Allen their choice for the role.
In his 12th season as a referee, Allen has the unique privilege of starting his officiating career directly as a referee, becoming the first individual since 1962 to do so.
But his seniority hasn’t made him immune to criticism. Two major calls over the last two seasons, the first an illegal touching call against the Detroit Lions in a Week 17 game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, and a wrong decision on a fumble recovery in the Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Wild Card Round game in 2024, have made Allen and his crew public enemy number one.
For the former, the league even issued a soft ban on them, prohibiting them from taking part in the 2023 NFL playoffs. This season, his crew includes:
- Umpire: Marcus Woods
- Down Judge: Sarah Thomas
- Line Judge: Walter Flowers
- Field Judge:Â Rick Patterson
- Side Judge: Chad Hill
- Back Judge:Â Tyree Walton
- Replay Official: Kevin Brown
- Replay Assistant: Randy Roseberry
This year, though, they have been uniquely quiet with their penalty calling. Officiating in five games so far, they have only called 60 total penalties, the lowest mark in the league. Even on a per-game basis, their count of 12 a game remains the least among all referee crews.
